New Progress on Er-Containing Micro-Alloying Aluminum Alloys

Erbium is an effective micro-alloying element in aluminum alloys and has been investigated intensively. Similar with the addition of Sc in aluminum alloys, nanosized L12-ordered Al3Er precipitates were formed coherently with the matrix in Er-containing micro-alloying aluminum alloys. Further, in the case of the addition of both Er and Zr, core-shell-structured Al3(ZrxEr1−x) precipitates, instead of Al3Er, were observed in a fine dispersion. Those thermally-stable precipitates can refine the grain size, minimize the segregation, homogenize the microstructure, enhance the strength, hinder the recrystallization, and thus improve the comprehensive performance of the aluminum alloys. This paper presents the effect of Er on the microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal stability of aluminum alloys. The research of some typical commercial aluminum alloys containing Er, is also reviewed here.